Shul Bulletin

There will be special parking rules for Tishrei, Please see this link.

We have set up a web page for members to advertise their goods or services leading up to Tishrei. If you want to be featured, please email us your flyer or announcement. Attachments must be in jpeg format. Note: The shul reserves the right to reject and/or modify any submission for any reason. Click here to see the page.

Please arrange for your Rosh Hashana seats and membership right away! Click here. Seats are being assigned this weekend!

We have set up a web page for members to advertise their goods or services leading up to Tishrei. If you want to be featured, please email us your flyer or announcement. Attachments must be in jpeg format. Note: The shul reserves the right to reject and/or modify any submission for any reason. Click here to see the page.

The Lowenstein and Raigorodsky families in honor of the birth of their daughter and granddaughter Liba Gittel. May they have much nachs from her and may she grow up to torah to chupa and to maasim tovim.

The Goldman family in honor of Levi Goldman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Rabbi & Mrs. Yecheskel Raeburn in honor of Rabbi Yecheskel Raeburn’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
Also in honor of their son Yosef Yitzchok’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Rabbi & Mrs. Zalman Schmukler for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Schneur Zalman Schmukler’s father Meir Eliezer ben Yehuda ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Stroll for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shmuel Stroll’s father Yehuda ben Tzvi Hirsch ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Mr. & Mrs. Meilach Weiss in honor of the entire community wishing them a blessed and sweet new year.

This week’s parsha of Nitzavim is always read on the Shabbos before Rosh Hashana. The Alter Rebbe received through the Maggid from the Baal Shem Tov the following teaching. Bnei Yisroel have the power to bless eleven months of the year on the Shabbos Mevarchim of each month. This is for each chodesh but not for Rosh Hashana. Hashem blesses this month, and with that bracha Bnei Yisroel have the ability to bless the remaining eleven months.

What is the bracha that Hashem gives for Rosh Hashana? The bracha is founs in the first words of this week’s parsha; “Atem Nitzavim Hayom- You are standing firm today”; The pasuk continues; “Kulchem- all of you together”. “this day” refers to Rosh Hashana, meaning that you are standing firm, meritorious, all together on the Day of Judgement.

The Alter Rebbe says in Likutei Torah that we are all together because we are crowning Hashem as King. As the pasuk says; “Veyehi b’Yeshurun Melech- That Bnei Yisroel has a King in it’s midst”. The pasuk continues; “Yachad Shivtei Yisroel- when you are all together as one”.

Since there are so many differences amongst Bnei Yisroel, how is it possible that we are all together as one? This is because Moshe Rabbeinu brought us into a covenant that each Jew is an “arev” a guarantor for his fellow Jew.

At first glance the ability for one to be a guarantor for another has clear limitations. An example is a guarantor on a loan. A guarantor would need to have the sufficient wealth to guarantee the loan of someone of lesser means. The opposite, the guarantee of a person of lesser means than the one taking the loan would not qualify. So too, how are we able to say that every Jew no matter if he is simple or wise can be a guarantor for every other Jew?

There is a halacha that states that an individual who said kiddush may recite it again for someone who has not yet heard. This is true even though he has already fulfilled his obligation of kiddush. The reason is because he has a separate responsibility for his follow Jew to help him fulfill his obligation as well. This obligation is the same and effective regardless of whether he is simple or a leader.

The Alter Rebbe says additionally that just as a foot, although not a head, has a unique quality that serves a purpose. It provides mobility to the head. So too every Jew regardless of his station in life has some unique virtue that serves to complete the Jewish people. This is another meaning of the word “arev”, that all of Bnei Yisroel are “mixed” together, and thereby complete one another.

This is the connection to Rosh Hashana, the Day of Judgement when we crown Hashem as King. If we are separated from each other, then there is no security of success. But, if we are together as one, and as a whole we are good, then we are certain that we will be zoche b’din, we will be found meritorious and be able to crown Hashem as King. And through uniting we will merit a Ksiva v’Chasima Tovah l”Shana Tovah u’Mesuka.

Kol Yakov Yehuda starts this Shabbos This year marks the tenth year for our Jr Congregation... a very special millstone indeed...
"Celebrating A Minyan of years- of children davening together"
New for this year... special little boys davening @ the mini jr... and much much more- every Shabbos and thrue out the year!! Stay tuned!!!! It starts @ 10:15 am- BE THERE!!. For more info click here.

Mr. & Mrs. Ahron Nassy in honor of the ufruf of their son Yitzchok May he be Zoche to build a binyan aday ad.

Mr. & Mrs. Yacov Avila in honor of the ufruf of Yitzchok Nassy May he be Zoche to build a binyan aday ad.

Mr. & Mrs. Steve Zipp in honor of Mrs. Barbara Zipp’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
Also in their son Yehoshua Noson’s and grandson Dovid Moshe’s birthday. May they have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

There is a saying that the day of Chai Elul brings a chayus into the service of the month of Elul. Since this is true, where has our chayus been until now during the first 17 days of Elul?
Chayus- life, is not just a nice addition, it’s something deeper. Just as there is an essential difference between life and its opposite ח"ו, so too, Chayus represents an essential difference, not just an incremental change.
In describing Moshiach, the Torah says, “He will be great and exalted Me’od”. Meod means far beyond anything before him. As is known, the Baal Shem Tov began the revelation of Moshiach. His Torah is here to prepare us for Moshiach. Throughout our history Jewish people have experienced Yetzias Mitzrayim, Matan Torah, and the Bais HaMikdash. We have received the Torah of Moshe Rabbeinu, all the Tanaim and Amoraim etc. How can we say after all of this, that the coming of Moshiach is something so incomparable that we say “me’od”, and that the Torah of Moshiach is a Torah Chadasha? And all of this began with the Baal Shem Tov.
The Rebbe explains based on Chassidus, that the answer to these questions can be understood by understanding the difference between the levels of Pnimius and Chitzonius Atik. In general, the difference between pnimius and chitzonius is that pnimius is the person himself, while chitzonius is his external expression. As great as one’s chitzonius may be, it is completely incomparable to their pnimius, the person himself. For example, for people to live in this world, they need money. In order to get money, they look for a job. A job serves the objective of getting money while money serves the objective of being able to live. From this we see a clear and incomparable difference between chitzonius, the job, compared to the pnimius of the money. We also see the difference between the money which is chitzonius compared to the pnimius, one’s life. Moshiach will reveal the pnimius the essence of the Torah and the essence in the creation and everything in comparison to it is chitzonius.
The entire Elul we have been busy with our Avodah. We have been doing Teshuva. We have been giving more Tzedaka, Davening and learning more Torah. Until this point there have been two separate things; ourselves and our avoda. When we reach Chai Elul, we get so deeply involved in our avoda that the Teshuva, Tzedaka, Tefilla and Torah become unified in the person. They are both one and the very same thing; life itself. This is what Chassidus reveals, our connection to the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe, it is our very life. And this is the lesson of Parshas Ki Savo, which means to come into the land. That we too need to get into it, to become involved, to make it our lives, not something external.
This is also similar to the stages of life. As years go by and we look backwards we realize that the life we lived in the past is not the really the same life compared to how we view it in the present. As life goes on we go higher and higher into pnimius.
Once I saw two older Chassidim, Rav Perlov and Rav Vilshansky at a fabrengen. This occurred in the year 1973. They were speaking to each other about time they spent together in Lubavitch in the years 1911-1914. In the meanwhile, there had been two major world wars, but when they spoke you were able to see that the impact from the Rebbe Rashab was literally alive within them. Similarly, once at a Yud Beis Tammuz fabrengen in Los Angeles in 1995, my father was speaking to an old friend. They were discussing a Yud Tes Kislev farbrengen in Otvosk, that occurred in 1937 with the Friediker Rebbe. As they spoke it was easy to see the tremendous living impression that had been imparted to them at that time that was still with them so many years later in 1995. The Alter Rebbe had a friend called the Volpe, who was also a Talmid of the Maggid who visited the Alter Rebbe in Liozna. The Alter Rebbe’s Chassidim thought that perhaps he had writings of Chassidus in his bag. They went through his bag to investigate and he caught them. When he asked them why they were searching his bag they explained that they thought he might have some writings of Chassidus. He replied; “By the Maggid, the words of Torah were written on our hearts, we didn’t need to write them down.” When it comes to Chai Elul, we live with the Rebbe and with Chassidus.

Tishrei is almost here. Boruch Hashem, our shul continues to grow in membership and services to the community. The cost of running the Shul is enormous. Funds collected for membership and Yom Tov tickets provide the majority of the money required to operate the shul. Shul Membership dues and Yom Tov Tickets are therefore the most important contributions that you can make to keep the shul running.

Keeping the mortgage current, utilities paid and managing the other expenses that go into operating our shul is up to us, the members. The Shul needs our participation and contributions to survive. For the upcoming year 5772, the membership and Yom Tov ticket fee schedule remains unchanged and is as follows: Family Membership $770
Single Membership $360
Associate Membership $360
Yom Tov Tickets/Family $300 member/$500 non-member
Yom Tov Tickets/Single $100 member/$250 non-member

Payments can be made online by credit card or echeck at www.chabadofla.com/donate, by giving a check to either David Kaufman or Leib Lerner, leaving a check in the metal pushka located in the back of the Shul, or mailing a check to the shul’s PO Box.

If paying by check please make sure to indicate the purpose of the payment on the check. Many of you are already paying membership ($65 per month) using the recurring payment option and are already set for membership. Some of you are using the recurring payment option for both membership and tickets ($90 per month). This is the best and easiest way to insure that your membership is kept current. Of course, full payment in advance is also welcome.

A limited number of lockers are available to members. The annual fee for lockers is $100, and must be paid in advance. Lockers that are not paid up by Chai Elul will be released to members that have signed up on the waiting list on a first-come/first-served basis.

We respectfully ask that you take care of your membership and tickets right away so that you will get seating priority and so that we can meet the shul’s budget for the coming year. It is also time to pay any amounts owed for past pledges before the end of 5772.

If you have any questions regarding membership, tickets or your current membership status, or to sign up on the locker waiting list, please contact us through info@chabadofla.com or speak to us in shul. We are happy to answer all of your questions and gladly encourage your suggestions and participation in helping to operate the shul.

Mr. & Mrs. Milton Goodman in honor of the 10th anniversary since his miraculous escape from the terror attacks on September 11th 2001. May he and his family be blessed with many more years of happiness and health.

An entire week of the month of Elul has already passed. Everyone is busy with the avodah according to themes of the month as explained in Chassidus. We are aware of ‘Melech b’sadeh’, that the King is in the field and that it’s a time for a cheshban hanefesh; it’s a time for a personal accounting in preparation for the new year.
There are three common obstacles that we often confront at this time of the year.
First, when we learn the Maamorim of Elul, we do not necessarily feel how the Maamor relates directly to us and the impact that it will have in our particular lives and circumstances.
Secondly, we often ask ourselves whether or not we really have the necessary strength to overcome the challenges of our ingrained natures and habits. Can we really dislodge the inherent coarseness of our yetzer hara?
Thirdly, after a week into the month of Elul, there are times that we feel that we have made a substantial effort to change and nonetheless have come face to face, once again, as we do in most years, with our own intransience. We feel that we just won’t change. We have become set in our ways.
These are three common obstacles that we face in the month of Elul.
With regard to the first obstacle; why the Maamorim do not seem to speak to us and address our particular situation, we need to ask ourselves the following question; are we really paying attention? Do we accept that the Maamorim really do speak to us but we need to shake off all of our preoccupations long enough to absorb the message that Chassidus is sending?
Consider the following example. Before the revolution in Russia there was a highly defined class system. In transportation for example there were different well defined classes. First class was for the wealthy, the aristocrats and those in power, while the lower class was for the peasants. After the revolution everyone became equals and the peasant had a right to travel in first class. On one occasion a peasant entered a first class cabin and sat next to a wealthy aristocrat, a very civilized man. Once they embarked on their journey the peasant began to make good use of his time ‘organizing’ his personal belongings. While rummaging through his suitcase he began to air out his personal unclean laundry items, which created an intolerable aroma much to the horror of the wealthy aristocrat. Faced with this most pleasant turn of events, the man turned to the peasant with a soft kind voice and said; “Comrade, perhaps this is not the best place for these items”. The peasant did not even respond! The man tried again and again, always addressing him respectfully as “Sir,” and “My Friend”, still to no avail. The peasant did not even give the courtesy to acknowledge his very presence. With no other option the man called the train’s conductor for help. The conductor directly approached the peasant and with no hesitation began screaming at the peasant without any titles or courtesy at all. He said; “Animal!” The peasant immediately turned around and said; “Do you mean me?” The conductor responded; “Of course I meant you! Look at this disgusting mess you have created! Put your dirty laundry away immediately! Do you know that you are you are in first class, you cannot behave this way here. I’ll throw you out!” The peasant responded; “I did not know!” The conductor said; “What do you mean you didn’t know, can’t you see this man is trying to talk to you? Can’t you hear?” The peasant responded that he didn’t realize the civilized man was even talking to him. He really did not notice. He had never been spoken to in such a manner, it was not just like a foreign language to him, it wasn’t even language at all. So too it is with our neshama. The neshama journeys down into this world for a purpose. It is a yerida letzorich aliya- for the purpose of a greater ascent. The neshama goes into first class. At this point, the animal soul joins the neshama and sits together in the same cabin- the body. The animal soul doesn’t see, feel or sense Elokus- G-dliness. When the neshama sees the uncivilized nature of his animal soul, he begins to talk about Elokus to the animal soul, and explain how special Hashem is. The neshama doesn’t get through to the animal soul. So the neshama goes to the Rebbe, the conductor. The Alter Rebbe explains in Perek Chof Tes of Tanya that there are times that we need to scream at our animal soul, to wake him up. Then the animal soul realizes that the neshama is talking to him. We need to speak strong to the animal soul and then he will listen.
A Chassid once asked the Rebbe Rashab for permission to translate certain parts of the Siddur into Yiddish during davening. This was in order for the Chassid to realize that the words mean him.
Regarding the second challenge, how will we have the strength to overcome the yetzer hara, David Hamelech said; “Achas Sha’alti m’es Hashem”. In this time of Elul, the time of the revelation of the Yud Gimmel Middos Harachamim, the neshama calls out from the depths of his heart to Hashem. The neshama says; “I want to be with You Hashem in truth, with You, and only You”. From this calling out, all our taivos fall away. It is similar to the time that we call out the Shma and Hashem Hu Elokim at Neila. When we call to Hashem from this place, the Yetzer Hara cannot do anything. The Yetzer Hara has nothing to hold onto because our prayers are directed just to Hashem, not for any reward. Only then when have accomplished this do we follow through with all the details. “Shivti b’vais Hashem- to merit to dwell in Hashem’s house all of our life and to gaze on the pleasantness of Hashem” etc. This is how we overcome all obstacles, when Hashem is our only goal.
In the third challenge, the yetzer hara tries to push us down and tell us that we will never be a success. As we learn in the beginning of this week’s parsha “Ki Tzesei”, that when go out to confront the enemy, we have the power; we are ‘al oyvecha’, we stand above our enemy. Everything that happens in the world is b’hashgacha pratis, and is a lesson in avodas Hashem. It is now at the end of the baseball season. There is a universal sportsmanlike attitude held by all professional athletes. When you at the bottom of the ninth inning, it doesn’t matter if you are ahead by five runs or behind by seven you never give up. You maintain your focus on the game and take all possibilities seriously until the very last moment. Even in the last few minutes of the game the teams remains united and create a strategy to win. There isn’t player or team in baseball that says; “Last year we lost so this year will be the same.” Every year they are always striving for the pennant and to win the world series. Just like this is in gashmius in baseball, so too, this is in ruchnius, in our service of Hashem. In Elul Hashem is giving us an injection, which gives us the possibility that we can overcome our obstacles and be successful, regardless of the past. Although last year I may not have been successful, it doesn’t matter because this is a new year and there is a new possibility. The game is not over until it’s over. In Elul we have the ability to change and turn everything around. We just need to strategize and make a plan. The next move is ours. Hashem is giving us the opportunity.

Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Davidoff in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
Also in honor of Mrs. Esther Davidoff ‘s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Rabbi & Mrs. Naftoli Estulin in honor of Mrs. Fayge Estulin’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Mr. & Mrs. Chaim Lerner for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Chaim Lerner's father Yaakov ben Chaim ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Nathanson in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.

Rabbi & Mrs. Velvel Tsikman in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.

The kiddush for the early minyan is sponsored by:

Rabbi & Mrs. Sender Munitz for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Sender Munitz's father Yisroel Meir ben Alexsender Sender ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Most probably everyone is familiar with the Alter Rebbe’s Maamer in Likkutei Torah titled “Ani Ledodi V’Dodi Li”. Chassidus explains that there is major difference between the way we serve Hashem in the month of Nissan compared to the month Elul. This difference is characterized in two pesukim. One pasuk reads; “Dodi Li v’Ani Lo- My Beloved is to me, and I to Him”. The second pasuk reads in the opposite order; “Ani l’Dodi v’Dodi Li- I am to my Beloved and my Beloved is to me”. The question asked is which order is correct? Is it upon us to initiate with our service, as it says; “Ani l’Dodi”, or is it Hashem that initiates from above, as it says; “Dodi li”.
Chassidus explains that these two opposite approaches are the difference between the service of Nissan and Elul. During Nissan, the time of Yetzias Mitzrayim, Hashem drew us out of the limitations of Mitzrayim and we responded by preparing ourselves to receive the Torah by Matan Torah. This order is “Dodi Li v’Ani Lo”. First, My Beloved is to me, He took me out of Mitzrayim. Then “v’Ani Lo”; we responded with Sefiras HaOmer and then with Naaseh v”Nishma by Matan Torah. In Elul, the order is “Ani l’Dodi”, first I draw to Hashem and then in Tishrei, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, “Dodi Li”, Hashem blesses us with a good sweet year.
A theme discussed in the Maamer in Likkutei Torah, “Ani Ledodi V’Dodi Li” is Melech Besadeh-The King is in the field. In reference to this the Alter Rebbe asks about the difference between the manner the Yud Gimmel Midos Harachimim- The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy are revealed in Elul versus Yom Kippur. Normally, the revelation of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy are reserved for a Yom Kodesh, like Yom Kippur. How is it possible that in the month of Elul, which contain many regular week days, that there be a revelation of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy? The Alter Rebbe answers this question with the Mashal that the month of Elul is analogous to the King being in the field while Yom Kippur is analogous to the King being in his palace. How do we best understand that difference?
The Rebbe explains in a Maamer that the experience of entering a King’s palace is impactful, and at times even overwhelming. When he sees all of the ministers and formalities of the Palace grounds, the throne, the garments and crown of the king, and ultimately the king himself, he can become completely taken in. The impact of the experience often has the effect of bringing him to a state of awe and trembling. This experience and relationship is initiated by the King himself. He is pulling us in and drawing us closer. This is analogous of the Days of Awe. The experience of these days are likened to Hashem pulling us into shul. It is a time when Hashem’s kingship is revealed. When we daven the special prayers from the machzor on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur we are stirred with emotion.
When the King in the field, He wears weekday garments. It could be that he doesn’t even have a crown; one certainly doesn’t see a throne or palace. We are not being drawn in by the King’s initiation. If however, you are wise, a Chacham, you realize that he is the very same king whether or not he is surrounded by his ministers, or in the field. He is giving us an opportunity to draw close on our own. It is upon us the individual to decide that we want to get out of our own place and draw closer to the King. The King is waiting for each Yid to turn towards Him. For that purpose a revelation of the Yud Gimmel Middos Harachamim are provided. It creates an easier way for us to access the King when we choose to, as He receives us b’Sever Panim Yafos-with a Shining Countanance. It is not however in a fashion that overwhelms. Our service is to realize that Hashem is waiting for us to approach him, and then afterwards we may follow him into the palace and have the opportunity to crown him as King.
As discussed in the previous article, Elul is a time of Cheshban Hanefesh with regard to Teshuvah, Torah, Tefillah and Tzedaka. Let us avail ourselves of this opportunity and utilize these days properly to the fullest extent possible. Surely, Hashem will accept our service and everyone will be zoche to a Ksiva v’Chasimah Tovah.